Help me save my Azalea

Nerfgunn

I bought a Satsuki Azalea from the Home Depot a few weeks ago. It was in great condition and has an awesome root structure. But now it isnt doing so well. Here's what I did.
- It came in a fairly large pot and the roots grew all the way down. When I repotted it I reduced the size of the root mass significantly (to about 1/4 of what it was originally).
- I used Kanuma (small grained about 2-3 mm) specifically intended for Azaleas and tropicals to fill in the rest of the pot.
- The pot I replanted it in is fairly large (round in shape 12 In. in diameter and 5in. deep.
- I have been watering it about every 2 days, whenever I notice that the top layer is dry basically.
- A few days before I replanted it I removed 2 fairly large branches (out of 6).
- it was placed in a spot where it gets partial sun exposure about 6-7 hours a day, and shade the rest of the day.

I am fairly new to bonsai so there are many things I think I am probably doing wrong. I think it will die unless I do something to stop the leaves from wilting and withering. I just started showing signs of this about a week ago. I really dont want it to die. I live in San Jose California to give you an idea of the climate around here. Please help me to save my tree.

Ill try to put a picture up too.
Thanks!!!!

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vln1502

I have experience killing lots of trees, azaleas among them. Sounds like you may be overwatering. You put your tree under a lot of stress .... pruned roots and branches. It won't need a lot of water until it starts to regrow. Azaleas are normally not worked until after they bloom, but what's done is done. Keep in partial shade. Fertilize at low strength for at least a month, then up to more like regular strength. Good luck. At least you can go back to Home Depot if this one dies. If it is a Satsuki, maybe you should go back anyway and get some more. Vic

mike108

Did you seal or disenfect your cuts? Azaleas are very picky when it comes to cleansiness of tools and cuts. If not taken care of it could have rotted the trunk out. Another thing the azalea you got I really dought to be satsuki as Home depots dont carry these. Usually home depots carry the california varities or some types of hybrids but not satsukis. {that ive seen} So the info is very diffrent on these two types of azalea satsuki and regular. One Last thing Azaleas do not like to get thier foliage wet in high winds or extreme colds or even too muche heat!!!!


Mike

Nerfgunn

Actually it was a satsuki hybrid like you said mike (called nuccio's wild cherry). I fugured it wouldnt make much difference as the care that is necessary is concerned. I didnt read anything about hybrids... Oi, i didnt use any sealant for the wounds but they are fairly clean cuts and I doubt the trunk rotted that fast, but what do I know!?!

and vln1502,
thanks for the info about their need of water. everywhere I look everyone says something to the extent of "Dont let your soil get dry ever!!" Also, I have been making sure to water it at the base of the trunk and not from the top of the plant (I learned that from years of picky roses). And lastly, I knew that I should have waited to cut those two branches off but it looked so damn mangy I didn't want to wait 'till summer. My impatience got the best of me and may have cost me my tree. But Ill try watering it less and keep a close eye on it. Im not sure how to tell if the cuts are rotted or not thought...

Thanks both of you!!

mike108

Dont worry abotu the cuts now. Worry about the tree as a whole. Azaleas are very hardy I think it should come back nicely. As you said watch your watering and it should be back to good health in no time. Still waiting for that picture though.

Nerfgunn

HA, still waiting for my camera to recharge... lol!

newt1

Well I'll take a stab...

"It came in a fairly large pot and the roots grew all the way down. When I repotted it I reduced the size of the root mass significantly (to about 1/4 of what it was originally)."
I would say that is much too agressive for a nursery grown azalea. Go slow with azalea roots.

"A few days before I replanted it I removed 2 fairly large branches (out of 6)."
You removed 3/4 of the roots and only 1/3 of the top. The remaining roots cannot provide enough for the amount of leaves left thus the top is dying back till an equalibrium is met.

Did you leave the field soil on the roots that remain? If so are you feeling the field soil before you water? It could be that the bonsai soil is drying out but the field soil is staying too wet causing further root loss.

"Azaleas are normally not worked until after they bloom, but what's done is done."
That is old school philosophy (although it does work). Lately people recommend re-potting in spring as the buds break but do not let the tree flower on a year that it was re-potted. This prevents loosing vigour on flower production and focuses the trees reserves on recovery.

Hope this helps!!!

Newt

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I do and I remember
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Nerfgunn

Ok here it is. The leaves were thicker looking when i first got it. They are still green but now the leaves are curling up on the edges and feel much weaker.

Newt,
Thanks for all the info. But I really left all the roots i could to get it in that pot. I want to eventually get it in something a little smaller (and more traditional) but I know that probably would have killed it.
The two branches I removed were the two largest and made up about 1/2 of the foliage, but I think your right about it dying back to meet equilibrium. Hopefully it may just be dropping a few leaves. Speaking of which do you think it would help if I removed a few leaves?
And I really want to see flowers but I would much rather my tree settle comfortably in its pot than stress over producing flowers. When would be the ideal time to pinch the buds? And it already has a few very small ones.






















That "awesome" root structire I mentioned is mostly buried for now. Thanks for the help everyone!!!

newt1

Still looks healthy to me! Just pluck the flower buds as you see them. I would not pinch any green growth till you know it is recovered from re-potting. They are touch plants but can be touchy. I would not worry about pruning any leaves now, the plant will take care of that on it's own. Take care!


Newt

__________________
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!

Check out my blog: http://knowledgeofbonsai.org/eric_newton/

I hear and I forget
I do and I remember
I teach and I understand...
-Chinese Proverb-